In PHOTOS: 200-year-old Dastageer Sahib shrine gutted

In PHOTOS: 200-year-old Dastageer Sahib shrine gutted

The historic Dastageer Sahib shrine in old Srinagar was gutted in a big blaze early Monday morning.

As per latest reports the fire has now spread to some adjoining homes as well even though fire tenders were battling to control the blaze.

The two-century-old shrine located in the Khanyar locality of Srinagar was an epitome of Kashmir architecture laden with ornate Khatamband ceilings and elaborate carvings with grand chandeliers adorning the main prayer hall.

200-year-old Dastageer Sahib shrine gutted

The blaze in the second most revered shrine in Kashmir after Hazratbal is stated to have engulfed the adjacent new structures as well which included a mosque and the under construction additional extensional structure.

The blaze has sent shockwaves across Kashmir Valley and people were seen crying at the scene.

Click on NEXT to see more PHOTOS...

Image: People mourning the gutting of the shrinePhotographs: Umar Ganie

200-year-old Dastageer Sahib shrine gutted

The sources said a group of protestors started pelting stones at fire tenders for their alleged "slow response" in controlling the fire.The protestors later attacked the nearby Khanyar police station by pelting stones at it.

Policemen fired several rounds of tear smoke shells to disperse the protestors, they said, adding additional police personnel have been deployed in the area to bring the situation under control.